While Arrowtown Ward councillor Scott Steven has been elected unopposed to represent the village over the next three years, the battle for the top job in the Queenstown Lakes will be one of the most fiercely contested in the district’s history.
Along with businessman Jim Boult and deputy mayor Lyal Cocks, of Wanaka, other mayoral candidates are Glenorchy’s Alistair Angus, who unsuccessfully stood against Vanessa van Uden in 2013; former councillor John Mann; and film director Roger Tompkins.
Mr Cocks is the only candidate of the five contenders to live outside the Wakatipu.
Ultimately, given the number of wider Wakatipu mayoral candidates, that could mean a split in the resort’s voting come October 8.
Voters will be spoilt for choice in selecting the six Wakatipu Ward councillors — 14 residents have put their hands up for a seat around the council table, with two existing councillors, Mel Gazzard and Cath Gilmour, not seeking re-election.
Incumbents Merv Aoake, Craig Ferguson, Alexa Forbes and Simon Stamers-Smith are joined by John MacDonald, Peter Faul, David (Hudson) Turnbull, Nicolette Gladding, Anthony Hill, Valerie Miller, Terri Anderson, Penelope Clark, Hohapata Maruera and Michael Ramsay.
Jon Mitchell, who had previously signalled his intention to seek election as a councillor, issued a media release on Thursday night announcing he would not be standing, having been offered a position which had the "risk of a perceived conflict of interest" with a councillor role.
In Wanaka, five people are vying for three representative seats, including incumbents Ella Lawton and Calum MacLeod.
One-term councillor Jude Battson (2010-2013), is standing again, as is Ross McRobie, and Quentin Smith.
The election will be held on October 8.
